First Black or mixed heritage woman elected as a Conservative MP, first Black woman minister appointed by a Conservative government, a former Labour member who joined the Tories in 2006 and replaced Ann Widdecombe in Maidstone in 2010. The July 2024 majority was 1,674 over Labour in Maidstone and Malling with Reform third on 20.1%.

Born 1961; LLB at Hull; College of Law Guildford. Qualified as a solicitor in 1988 at Cartmell, Mawson & Main in Carlisle. Founded Grants Solicitors as a family law specialist in Wimbledon in 1996.

Joined Labour in Reigate in 2004, left in February 2006, and joined the Conservatives later that year, describing the experience as "almost looking in the biscuit barrel, not liking the look of the biscuits, and slamming the lid shut". Contributor to Iain Duncan Smith''s Centre for Social Justice on State of the Nation in 2006 and Breakthrough Britain in 2007. Elected for Maidstone and The Weald in 2010 succeeding Ann Widdecombe on a 5,889 majority. Held the redrawn Maidstone and Malling in July 2024 with a 1,674 majority over Labour, Reform third on 20.1%, the Lib Dems fourth.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and Minister for Women and Equalities from 4 September 2012 to October 2013, the historic first Black woman minister appointed by a Conservative government. Junior Sports Minister at DCMS from October 2013 to May 2015, where she launched the Women in Sport advisory board and convened the first DCMS Women''s Sport Conference in October 2014. UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria from October 2020, the first British Nigerian to hold the role. Prime Minister''s Special Envoy on Girls'' Education from January 2021. OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours.

Voted Remain in 2016 and against Article 50 extension and a second referendum thereafter. Voted Aye on the Rwanda Bill with the government. Voted No on the Leadbeater assisted dying bill at second reading on 29 November 2024, saying she was not reassured that amendments would protect the vulnerable. Endorsed Kemi Badenoch in the 2024 leadership contest. Shadow Solicitor General under Badenoch from 6 November 2024.

Outside earnings have been modest by City standards but unusual in shape. Grants Solicitors LLP ceased trading at the end of December 2013. A consultancy with the Tote ran from March 2019 to April 2020 at £30,000 a year. Her husband is employed as her Senior Parliamentary Assistant and Office Manager.

The historic firsts she carries — first Black or mixed heritage woman Conservative MP, first Black woman minister under a Conservative government — are real. The legislative ledger is thinner. The policy footprint mostly sits on other people''s briefs.